I Never Thought a Bridge Could Mean So Much Until Now
A Bridge That Became Part of My Life
There are certain landmarks you pass while driving that become part of your life story. You might not think much about them at first, but over time they become tied to memories, routines, and milestones.
For me, one of those places is the Chester Bridge.
I grew up in Red Bud, Illinois, about 20 minutes from Chester. Like many Southern Illinois kids, I figured something out pretty quickly after I got my driver's license: gas was almost always cheaper in Missouri. It didn't take long before making the drive across the river to fill up became second nature.
Later, when I worked in St. Louis, I made it a habit to fill up before crossing back into Illinois. Then life took me to Jackson, Missouri, in southeast Missouri. Even then, nothing really changed. Before heading home to visit my parents or friends in Illinois, I'd stop for gas because I knew once I crossed the Chester Bridge, prices were going up.
That bridge became part of my routine.
It also became part of my family's story. My dad worked in Chester for nearly 30 years, so the Todaro family has crossed that bridge more times than I could ever count.
More Than 80 Years of History
The original Chester Bridge officially opened on August 23, 1942, connecting Chester, Illinois, and Perryville, Missouri, across the Mississippi River. At the time, it was considered a major engineering accomplishment and quickly became an important transportation link for people traveling between Southern Illinois and southeast Missouri.
For more than eight decades, the steel cantilever truss bridge carried commuters, truck drivers, farmers, and families across the Mississippi. It helped support local businesses and made it easier for communities on both sides of the river to stay connected. But after more than 80 years of service, the bridge required frequent maintenance and no longer met modern highway safety standards.
A New Era for the Mississippi Crossing
On July 11, 2026, the new Don Welge Memorial Bridge officially opened to traffic after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The celebration wasn't just for elected officials and community leaders. Hundreds of people also laced up their running shoes for the Don Welge Memorial Bridge 5K, giving participants a rare opportunity to run or walk across the new bridge before it officially opened to vehicle traffic. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the new Mississippi River crossing on foot and celebrate the start of a new chapter for the region.
Named in honor of former Missouri State Representative Don Welge, the $307 million cable-stayed bridge replaces the aging 1942 structure with a safer and more modern crossing. The new bridge features three striking towers, is 44 feet wide, and includes two 11-foot travel lanes with full shoulders. Those improvements will make travel safer and more efficient for the approximately 7,000 vehicles that cross the bridge each day.
Making New Memories
Last weekend, my mom was one of the hundreds of people who participated in the Don Welge Memorial Bridge 5K, walking across the new bridge before it officially opened to traffic.
Seeing those photos made me realize this bridge means a lot more to my family than I ever stopped to think about.
For years, it was the bridge we crossed to save a few dollars on gas. It was the bridge that took my dad to work every day for nearly three decades. It was also the bridge I crossed countless times after moving to Missouri whenever I came home to visit family and friends.
Now, that familiar old bridge is gone, but a new one stands in its place, ready to serve the next generation.
Some Landmarks Stay With You
It's funny how something as ordinary as a bridge can become part of your story.
For me, the Chester Bridge isn't just a way to get from Illinois to Missouri. It's tied to childhood memories, road trips, family, and coming home.
Now there's a new landmark stretching across the Mississippi River, and while I'll always have a soft spot for the old bridge, I'm excited to see the memories this new one will create for so many families, including mine.
What About You?
Is there a bridge, landmark, or place that instantly reminds you of home?
Maybe it's a road you drove every day growing up, a bridge that meant vacation was about to begin, or a spot that brings back memories every time you pass it.
I'd love to hear your story. Share your favorite memories of the old Chester Bridge or tell us what local landmark will always feel like home to you in the comments.
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